Bishop asks for prayers for vocations after new deacon ordained

EUCLID, Ohio — One of three seminarians for the Eparchy of Parma was ordained a deacon Dec. 27. About 60 people gathered at St. Stephen Parish to witness Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, of Parma ordain Nathan Adams to the diaconate.

“Approaching the diaconate is a humbling experience,” Deacon Adams told Horizons Media. He said the diaconate elicits for him the ideas of “servanthood” and “martyrdom.” He asked for prayers, as he offers himself in service to the eparchy, that he will develop “in holiness and service to the church.”

Bishop Lach expressed his joy at the occasion and said ordination for the church is “not to make a career.”

“We are not men of this world, but disciples of Christ. Our privilege is the cross of Christ,” he said. “I ask you to pray for vocations, for new priests and deacons, to help proclaim the Word of God.”

Adams, who is married with five children, is in his final year of seminary. He is expected to complete his studies this spring.

Caption: Clergy of the Eparchy of Parma, along with staff of the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, pose for a photo following the ordination of Deacon Nathan Adams at St. Stephen Parish in Euclid, Ohio, Dec. 27. Front row, l. to r.: Fathers William Rupp and Robert Pipta, Deacon Nathan Adams, Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, of Parma, retired Bishop John Kudrick of Parma, and Father Marek Visnovsky. Back row, l. to r.: seminarian Michael Kunitz, Deacon Gregory Loya, Fathers Andrew Nagrant, Robert Jager and Miron Kerul-Kmec, and seminarian Miron Kerul-Kmec Jr. (Photo: David Bratnick)

As published in Horizons, Jan. 20, 2019.Sign up for Horizons’ digital newsletter.